Chapter 10: The Brother No One Knew
541 Words
The mysterious figure stepped fully into the light.
He was tall, impeccably dressed, and carried himself with the same quiet confidence as Alexander.
For a moment, Maya thought she was seeing double.
Alexander's face lost all color.
"...Nathan."
The man smiled.
"It's been a long time, brother."
Maya looked from one man to the other in disbelief.
"Brother?"
Alexander nodded slowly, never taking his eyes off the stranger.
"Nathan Stone. My older brother."
"You told everyone I disappeared," Nathan said, his smile fading. "You let the world believe I was dead."
Alexander clenched his fists.
"You disappeared after stealing millions from our father. You walked away from this family."
Nathan laughed bitterly.
"Is that the story you've been telling people?"
Maya could feel years of anger hanging between them.
"This isn't just about business," she whispered.
"No," Alexander replied. "It never was."
---
Nathan stepped closer.
"Our father built Stone Global for both of us. But when he became ill, he chose you to take over."
"I didn't ask for that."
"But you accepted it."
"Our father made his decision."
Nathan's eyes filled with resentment.
"He stole my future... and you let him."
Alexander shook his head.
"I spent years looking for you."
"Liar."
"I hired investigators. I searched every country where they thought you might be."
Nathan hesitated for the first time.
"You expect me to believe that?"
"It's the truth."
A flicker of doubt crossed Nathan's face, but it disappeared almost instantly.
"It doesn't matter anymore."
He snapped his fingers.
Several armed men emerged from behind the shipping containers.
"Sign the company over to me," Nathan said, "and everyone walks away."
Alexander looked at Ethan, who was still tied to a chair.
Then he looked at Maya.
She gave a small shake of her head.
Don't do it.
Alexander understood.
Stone Global wasn't just a company.
Thousands of employees depended on it for their livelihoods.
Giving it away would ruin countless lives.
"I won't sign."
Nathan's expression hardened.
"Then you've made your choice."
He raised his hand.
Suddenly, the sound of police sirens echoed outside the warehouse.
Nathan's men exchanged nervous glances.
"What?" Nathan shouted.
"This wasn't part of the plan!"
The warehouse doors burst open.
"Police! Nobody move!"
Officers rushed inside from every entrance.
Jordan ran in behind them.
"Mr. Stone!"
Alexander looked surprised.
"You called the police?"
Jordan smiled.
"No."
He pointed toward Maya.
"She did."
Maya blinked.
"I... what?"
Jordan laughed.
"You left your phone in the car. Before we left, I activated the emergency safety feature on your location app. When you stopped moving at the warehouse, I alerted the police."
Nathan realized the trap had turned against him.
"Fall back!" he shouted.
His men scattered in every direction.
In the confusion, one of them grabbed Maya from behind.
Alexander's heart stopped.
"Maya!"
The man pressed a knife against her shoulder.
"Nobody follows us, or she comes with me."
The officers froze.
Nathan slowly backed toward a side exit, smiling once again.
"This isn't over, Alexander."
He disappeared into the darkness.
The kidnapper tightened his grip on Maya.
Alexander had seconds to decide.
Save the company...
Or save the woman who had become far more important than he was ready to admit.
To be continued
- Writer
